International Football History and Statistics

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On this day in football history

1919 By orders of the FA Council, Leeds City were deemed to cease to exist for failing to produce their books following allegations of over payments during war-time football. Their Board of Directors were suspended and the players were later auctioned to other League clubs. Their manager, although innocent of the alleged offences, was also suspended. He was Herbert Chapman, later to gain fame with Huddersfield Town and Arsenal. The club was founded in 1904 and elected to the Second Division of the Football League in 1905 where they spent the whole of their career. Their best season was 1913-14 when they finished fourth. Port Vale were elected to take over the remaining fixtures for 1919-20 and finished in 13th position.

1940 Death of John Devey at the age of 74. He was a great inside forward for Aston Villa from 1892 and also a great captain leading the side to two FA Cup wins and five League Championships including season 1896-97 when they won both League and Cup. He played twice for England in 1892 and 1894, both times against Ireland. He also played cricket for Warwickshire.

1958 Dally Duncan, manager of Luton Town for 11 years, appointed manager of Blackburn Rovers. He had only two years at Ewood Park but led the club to the 1960 Cup Final where they were beaten by Wolves. For twenty years he was one of the finest left wingers in the game, starting with Hull City in 1928, moving to Derby County in March 1932 and to Luton Town in 1946. Two years at Luton completed his playing career during which he had played in 391 peace-time League games and scored 112 goals, won a FA Cup medal in 1946 and appeared in 14 internationals for Scotland between 1933 and 1938.